Honda at 2012 Geneva Motor Show +VIDEO

GENEVA - March 6, 2012: The first engine from Honda's ground breaking new Earth Dreams
Technology range was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show 2012. The 1.6litre
i-DTEC is the first in a new generation of engines being introduced to
Honda models over the next three years. Lining up next to the new 1.6litre
i-DTEC is the stunning Honda NSX Concept and European CR-V Prototype.

Honda EV-STER

Honda also staged the European premiere of the EV-STER, the
next-generation electric small sports concept model in the form of an
electric rear-wheel-drive two-seater convertible sports car.

Two new Jazz derivatives were also displayed for the first time. The
Jazz Si features an upgraded sporty suspension package and styling changes
to the interior and the exterior. The second variant, the Jazz 1.2 with
Idle Stop, delivers a reduction in CO2 emissions of 3g/km compared to the
standard 1.2 model.

The rest of its Honda model line-up comprising of the new Civic, the
hybrids - Jazz, CR-Z and Insight - as well as the Accord range in Saloon
and Tourer guise were similarly displayed. In addition, the FCX Clarity,
the world’s first production fuel-cell vehicle, made another
appearance to the media attendees.

Watch the Honda Press Conference highlights

Earth Dreams Technology – Honda‘s new generation of drive
trains

New 1.6litre i-DTEC engine for Europe
At the Tokyo Motor Show in December 2011, Takanobu Ito, President and
CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced that Honda is developing a new
generation of drive trains named ‘Earth Dreams Technology’.
This new series of engines and transmissions will deliver excellent
performance and environmental values and will be gradually introduced
throughout the Honda range.

Number one in fuel economy
With the exceptional environmental values of Earth Dreams Technology,
Honda strives to achieve industry leading fuel efficiency within 3
years.

The first engine from this series will be a newly developed 1.6litre
i-DTEC engine. Designed for the European market, this new smaller diesel
engine will be first introduced to Honda’s new Civic in late 2012. It
is lighter than any other diesel engine of its size and with CO2 emissions
of 95g/km and a maximum power output of 120 PS (at 4000rpm), the engine
delivers a class-leading balance of fuel economy and performance. Plus, the
300Nm of torque (at 2000rpm) results in excellent driveability.

Specification

New 1.6litre i-DTEC engine specification:

Displacement

1596 cc

Max Power

88kw (120PS)/4000rpm

Max Torque

300 Nm/2000rpm

CO2

95g/km of CO2 (to be confirmed)

Honda CR-V

Honda CR-V Prototype

At Geneva, Honda has on display the European CR-V Prototype, which
provides the first official glimpse of the styling direction for the
all-new, fourth-generation CR-V, set to go on sale in autumn 2012.

The CR-V Prototype embraces a distinctive and bold styling direction.
Compared to the previous generation, the model takes on a more aggressive
stance with deeper sculpting of the body lines and a bolder front fascia.
The lower front bumper wraps smartly upward to convey SUV capability, while
the overall lower front bumper design now integrates more smoothly into the
fascia for improved aerodynamics.

The CR-V's vertical taillights remain and now feature a more
three-dimensional style that wraps further into the design of the vehicle.
Equipped with more efficient engines compared to the current model, the new
CR-V is expected to deliver improved fuel economy.

Watch the Honda CR-V Europe version promo video

The CR-V is one of the top-selling SUVs and is sold in more than 160
countries throughout Europe, Asia, North America, South America and Africa.
This 4th Generation CR-V is already on sale in North

America and Japan and the European version will make its official debut
at the Paris Salon in the autumn of 2012.

Honda NSX Concept

Honda presents the new Honda NSX Concept for the first time in Europe,
highlighting the design and technology direction for the next-generation
supercar.

Making use of lightweight materials and a mid-mounted V-6 engine, the
NSX Concept employs several new technologies, including an innovative new
Sport Hybrid SH-AWD (Super Handling All Wheel Drive) system.

Takanobu Ito, President and CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd, who was part of
the development team of Honda’s first NSX supercar, recently
explained the values of the new NSX; “Like the first NSX, we will
again express high performance through engineering efficiency. In this new
era, even as we focus on the fun to drive spirit of the NSX, I think a
supercar must respond positively to environmental
responsibilities.”

While most supercars opt for brute force delivered from a large engine,
the NSX Concept represents the true racing philosophy of an extremely
favourable power-to-weight ratio.

Watch the Honda NSX concept promo video

Utilising a unique 2 Electric Motor Drive Unit with a bilateral torque
adjustable control system, the new hybrid all-wheel-drive system can
instantly generate negative or positive torque to the front wheels during
cornering, which Honda anticipates will deliver handling performance
unmatched by previous AWD systems. In addition to the handling benefits of
the Sport Hybrid SH-AWD® system, a powerful next-generation VTEC V-6 engine
with direct-injection, works together with a dual clutch transmission and a
third electric traction motor integrated within the transmission housing,
to create supercar acceleration while offering outstanding efficiency.

The new NSX, which is expected to go on sale in the next three years,
will be developed by Honda R&D Americas and manufactured in Ohio, USA.

Featuring a dynamic and innovative styling design and excellent environmental performance, the EV-STER, an electric rear-wheel-drive two-seater convertible sports car, will propose a new way to enjoy a sports type model which is unique to electromotive mobility. The use of light weight carbon materials contributes to the vehicle's driving performance and range of approximately 99 miles.

Making its debut at the Geneva Motor Show is the new Honda Jazz Si, which will reach showrooms in summer 2012. This new version combines the space, versatility and frugal running costs of the existing Jazz 1.4 i-VTEC but with increased dynamic appeal. The retuned suspension is complimented by styling revisions inside and out.

The Jazz Si was developed by Honda Research and Development Europe and will be manufactured in the UK.

Emphasising the sharp appearance of the Jazz Si is a new body kit. This consists of new front and rear bumpers, with deep valances and prominent side skirts. Stylish 16-inch alloy wheels are fitted with low-profile tyres, while front fog lights, dark-tinted privacy glass and a straight exhaust tailpipe complete the transformation.

Inside, the Jazz Si has black and silver supportive seats, with the addition of a sports inspired leather-trimmed steering wheel and gearshift lever both featuring silver stitching.

To ensure the Jazz Si has substance as well as style, revised suspension settings have been adopted. New dampers are combined with a larger front anti-roll bar to improve straight-line stability and body control. The electric power-steering system has also been modified for improved feel and response.

One of the key considerations for Honda’s designers and engineers during the development of the Jazz Si was to preserve the key strengths that owners of the existing Jazz enjoy about their car.

The Jazz Si is powered by Honda’s familiar 1.4-litre i-VTEC 100 PS (73kW) engine, acclaimed for its performance and high fuel economy. This four-cylinder unit develops its maximum power at 6,000rpm and has a peak torque output of 127Nm at 4,800rpm.

In five-speed manual form the Jazz Si has the acceleration as the traditional models and has a top speed of 113mph.

Along with greater dynamism, the Jazz Si retains the easy-to-drive character, smooth controls, comfortable ride and long-distance refinement of the standard Jazz. The Jazz Si therefore offers the best of all worlds – a small car that can effortlessly cover long distances and is also fun to drive.

The excellent safety of the Jazz remains a key component of the Jazz Si, too. It employs Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure, which compensates for collisions between vehicles of different sizes and deflects crash energy away from the passenger cabin.

ACE body structure is part of a comprehensive package that helped the Jazz achieve a maximum five-star safety rating in Euro-NCAP crash tests. Standard protection features include Honda’s VSA stability control system and anti-lock brakes to help the driver avoid an accident. Should a collision prove unavoidable, however, there are six airbags, three-point seatbelts all round, with reminders to warn the driver if someone has failed to put their seatbelt on, anti-whiplash head restraints and ISOFIX child-seat tethers and top anchors.

The Si variant of the Jazz was developed and engineered entirely in Europe and it will be in dealer showrooms at the end of August.

Honda Jazz SE with Idle Stop
The Jazz SE with Idle Stop makes its debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2012 and further demonstrates Honda’s commitment to reducing CO2 emissions and improving fuel economy. The 1.2 litre Jazz with Idle Stop will be sold alongside the existing Jazz range and will not lose any of the practicality associated with the model. The Jazz SE with Idle Stop sits above the S A/C in the model line up and also benefits from the addition of Auto Climate Control and body coloured door handles and mirrors.

The Idle Stop system automatically switches off the engine when you come to a stop improving efficiency and delivering a combined fuel economy of 54.3mpg and CO2 emissions of 120 g/km – representing an improvement of approximately 3 g/km in comparison to 1.2 litre Jazz. The system is also optional so that the driver can switch it off when it is not required.

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